THE GEORGE at Hatherleigh, which was gutted by fire on Christmas Eve 2008, has reopened after a £2.4-million refurbishment.

The reconstruction, which took more than 40 weeks, saw the use of traditional materials and construction methods in order to recapture the original appearance of the building, which was built around 1450.

The newly reopened pub boasts freshly cooked food using local produce.

Manager Joshua Hurter said: 'We hope customers and guests will see us as a pub with an old country feel, but with some modern tricks and comforts.'